Surround video playback

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are disclosed including a computing device configured to allow a user to view a multi-stream video from a selected angle/direction with respect to the contents of the multi-stream video, under the user&#39;s control. The multi-stream video is generated using multiple Image Acquisition Devices (IAD), such as cameras, simultaneously, consecutively, or independently filming a scene, each IAD having a different position with respect to each of the other IADs. Each image data stream obtained from each IAD may be uniquely identified to allow selective real-time playback of image data streams under user control. Each image data stream represents a corresponding viewing angle to the user. The user may dynamically change the selection of an image stream, and thus the viewing angle, while viewing a recorded scene. Multiple image streams of the same scene may be selected and viewed simultaneously to provide 3D or other visual effects.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation application of U.S. patentapplication entitled “SURROUND VIDEO PLAYBACK,” application Ser. No.13/205,518, filed on 8 Aug. 2011, the specification of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to video recording. Morespecifically, this application relates to surround video recording andplayback using multiple cameras as separately playable data streams.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, when considered in connection with the followingdescription, are presented for the purpose of facilitating anunderstanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a network computing environment whereinthe disclosure may be practiced;

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a computing device that may be used in thenetwork computing environment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A shows an example surround filming mounting matrix configured tofilm a scene;

FIG. 3B shows an example surround filming apparatus with independentlypositioned cameras configured to film a scene;

FIG. 4 shows an example camera mounting matrix configured to providevarious degrees of 3-D stereoscopic effect on playback;

FIG. 5A shows an example client-server environment configured toplayback a multi-stream video shown from a first viewing angle underuser control;

FIG. 5B shows the example client-server environment of FIG. 5Aconfigured to playback the multi-stream video shown from a secondviewing angle under user control;

FIG. 5C shows the example client-server environment of FIG. 5Aconfigured to playback the multi-stream video shown from a third viewingangle under user control; and

FIG. 6 shows an example flow diagram for a surround image playbackroutine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present disclosure is described with reference to severalillustrative embodiments described herein, it should be clear that thepresent disclosure should not be limited to such embodiments. Therefore,the description of the embodiments provided herein is illustrative ofthe present disclosure and should not limit the scope of the disclosureas claimed. In addition, while the following description referencesvideo cameras, it will be appreciated that the disclosure may be usedwith other types of image acquisition, such as films, ultrasound,Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and the like.

Briefly described, a device and a method are disclosed, including acomputing device configured to allow a user to view a multi-stream videofrom a selected angle with respect to the contents of the multi-streamvideo under the user's control. In various embodiments, the multi-streamvideo is generated using multiple Image Acquisition Devices (IAD), suchas cameras, simultaneously, consecutively, or independently filming ascene, each IAD having a known position with respect to each of theother IADs. Each image data stream obtained from each IAD may beuniquely identified, by the position of the IAD or by a uniqueidentifier, to allow selective real-time display and/or playback (forpre-recorded image streams) of each individual image data stream underthe control of the user. Depending on the position of an IAD, the imagedata stream collected by the IAD represents a corresponding viewingangle, with respect to the contents of the multi-stream video, to theuser. Thus, the user may select a different viewing angle for the samescene by selecting a corresponding image stream during real-time viewingand/or playback. In various embodiments, the user may change theselection of an image stream dynamically while viewing a recorded scene.In some embodiments the user may program the viewing device to show thescenes from different available angles based on predetermined criteria,such as change of the scene angle every few minutes, based on scenecontent, or based on a timeline of the video. In various embodiments,multiple image streams of the same scene may be selected and viewedsimultaneously to provide a 3-Dimensional (3D) effect or other visualeffects. In some embodiments not all angles are available for all thescenes and in other embodiments the arrangements of the IADs may bedifferent from scene to scene.

Over the years, various image playback technologies and techniques havebeen developed ranging from black and white silent film to digitaldiscs, such as DVD, with high resolution images, 3-D playbackcapabilities, and surround sound. 3-D playback techniques have beenenabled by stereo recording, which entails using two synchronizedcameras to film a scene simultaneously to be later viewed by a user as a3D image.

In a few viewing arrangements users may have the ability to interactwith the film content being played. Generally, user interactions havebeen very limited including picture adjustment, color adjustment, movingforward and backward (for example, when using DVD players) in the filmstream, and the like. With commonly available technologies, the user isgenerally not able to change the user's viewing angle of the same scenewhile watching a film, in effect, interacting with the visual content ofthe film.

Illustrative Operating Environment

FIG. 1 shows components of an illustrative environment in which thedisclosure may be practiced. Not all the shown components may berequired to practice the disclosure, and variations in the arrangementand type of the components may be made without departing from the spiritor scope of the disclosure. System 100 may include Local Area Networks(LAN) and Wide Area Networks (WAN) shown collectively as Network 106,wireless network 110, gateway 108 configured to connect remote and/ordifferent types of networks together, client computing devices 112-118,and server computing devices 102-104.

One embodiment of a computing device usable as one of client computingdevices 112-118 is described in more detail below with respect to FIG.2. Briefly, however, client computing devices 112-118 may includevirtually any device capable of receiving and sending a message over anetwork, such as wireless network 110, or the like. Such devices includeportable devices such as, cellular telephones, smart phones, displaypagers, radio frequency (RF) devices, music players, digital cameras,infrared (IR) devices, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), handheldcomputers, laptop computers, wearable computers, tablet computers,integrated devices combining one or more of the preceding devices, orthe like. Client device 112 may include virtually any computing devicethat typically connects using a wired communications medium such aspersonal computers, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, network PCs, or the like. In oneembodiment, one or more of client devices 112-118 may also be configuredto operate over a wired and/or a wireless network.

Client devices 112-118 typically range widely in terms of capabilitiesand features. For example, a cell phone may have a numeric keypad and afew lines of monochrome LCD display on which only text may be displayed.In another example, a web-enabled client device may have a touchsensitive screen, a stylus, and several lines of color LCD display inwhich both text and graphic may be displayed.

A web-enabled client device may include a browser application that isconfigured to receive and to send web pages, web-based messages, or thelike. The browser application may be configured to receive and displaygraphic, text, multimedia, or the like, employing virtually any webbased language, including a wireless application protocol messages(WAP), or the like. In one embodiment, the browser application may beenabled to employ one or more of Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML),Wireless Markup Language (WML), WMLScript, JavaScript, StandardGeneralized Markup Language (SMGL), HyperText Markup Language (HTML),eXtensible Markup Language (XML), or the like, to display and sendinformation.

Client computing devices 112-118 also may include at least one otherclient application that is configured to receive content from anothercomputing device, including, without limit, server computing devices102-104. The client application may include a capability to provide andreceive textual content, multimedia information, or the like. The clientapplication may further provide information that identifies itself,including a type, capability, name, or the like. In one embodiment,client devices 112-118 may uniquely identify themselves through any of avariety of mechanisms, including a phone number, Mobile IdentificationNumber (MIN), an electronic serial number (ESN), mobile deviceidentifier, network address, such as IP (Internet Protocol) address,Media Access Control (MAC) layer identifier, or other identifier. Theidentifier may be provided in a message, or the like, sent to anothercomputing device.

Client computing devices 112-118 may also be configured to communicate amessage, such as through email, Short Message Service (SMS), MultimediaMessage Service (MMS), instant messaging (IM), internet relay chat(IRC), Mardam-Bey's IRC (mIRC), Jabber, or the like, to anothercomputing device. However, the present disclosure is not limited tothese message protocols, and virtually any other message protocol may beemployed.

Client devices 112-118 may further be configured to include a clientapplication that enables the user to log into a user account that may bemanaged by another computing device. Such user account, for example, maybe configured to enable the user to receive emails, send/receive IMmessages, SMS messages, access selected web pages, download scripts,applications, or a variety of other content, or perform a variety ofother actions over a network. However, managing of messages or otherwiseaccessing and/or downloading content, may also be performed withoutlogging into the user account. Thus, a user of client devices 112-118may employ any of a variety of client applications to access content,read web pages, receive/send messages, or the like. In one embodiment,for example, the user may employ a browser or other client applicationto access a web page hosted by a Web server implemented as servercomputing device 102. In one embodiment, messages received by clientcomputing devices 112-118 may be saved in non-volatile memory, such asflash and/or PCM, across communication sessions and/or between powercycles of client computing devices 112-118.

Wireless network 110 may be configured to couple client devices 114-118to network 106. Wireless network 110 may include any of a variety ofwireless sub-networks that may further overlay stand-alone ad-hocnetworks, and the like, to provide an infrastructure-oriented connectionfor client devices 114-118. Such sub-networks may include mesh networks,Wireless LAN (WLAN) networks, cellular networks, and the like. Wirelessnetwork 110 may further include an autonomous system of terminals,gateways, routers, and the like connected by wireless radio links, andthe like. These connectors may be configured to move freely and randomlyand organize themselves arbitrarily, such that the topology of wirelessnetwork 110 may change rapidly.

Wireless network 110 may further employ a plurality of accesstechnologies including 2nd (2G), 3rd (3G), 4^(th) (4G), generation andany future generation technologies for radio access for cellularsystems, WLAN, Wireless Router (WR) mesh, and the like. Accesstechnologies such as 3G, 4G, and future access networks may enable widearea coverage for mobile devices, such as client devices 114-118 withvarious degrees of mobility. For example, wireless network 110 mayenable a radio connection through a radio network access such as GlobalSystem for Mobil communication (GSM), General Packet Radio Services(GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), WEDGE, Bluetooth, HighSpeed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS), Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Wideband Code DivisionMultiple Access (WCDMA), and the like. In essence, wireless network 110may include virtually any wireless communication mechanism by whichinformation may travel between client devices 102-104 and anothercomputing device, network, and the like.

Network 106 is configured to couple one or more servers depicted in FIG.1 as server computing devices 102-104 and their respective componentswith other computing devices, such as client device 112, and throughwireless network 110 to client devices 114-118. Network 106 is enabledto employ any form of computer readable media for communicatinginformation from one electronic device to another. Also, network 106 mayinclude the Internet in addition to local area networks (LANs), widearea networks (WANs), direct connections, such as through a universalserial bus (USB) port, other forms of computer-readable media, or anycombination thereof. On an interconnected set of LANs, including thosebased on differing architectures and protocols, a router acts as a linkbetween LANs, enabling messages to be sent from one to another.

Communication links within LANs typically include twisted wire pair orcoaxial cable, while communication links between networks may utilizeanalog telephone lines, full or fractional dedicated digital linesincluding T1, T2, T3, and T4, Integrated Services Digital Networks(ISDNs), Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs), wireless links includingsatellite links, or other communications links known to those skilled inthe art. Furthermore, remote computers and other related electronicdevices could be remotely connected to either LANs or WANs via a modemand temporary telephone link. Network 106 may include any communicationmethod by which information may travel between computing devices.Additionally, communication media typically may enable transmission ofcomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother types of content, virtually without limit. By way of example,communication media includes wired media such as twisted pair, coaxialcable, fiber optics, wave guides, and other wired media and wirelessmedia such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media.

Illustrative Computing Device Configuration

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative computing device 200 that may represent anyone of the server and/or client computing devices shown in FIG. 1. Acomputing device represented by computing device 200 may include less ormore than all the components shown in FIG. 2 depending on thefunctionality needed. For example, a mobile computing device may includethe transceiver 236 and antenna 238, while a server computing device 102of FIG. 1 may not include these components. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that the scope of integration of components of computingdevice 200 may be different from what is shown. As such, some of thecomponents of computing device 200 shown in FIG. 2 may be integratedtogether as one unit. For example, NIC 230 and transceiver 236 may beimplemented as an integrated unit. Additionally, different functions ofa single component may be separated and implemented across severalcomponents instead. For example, different functions of I/O processor220 may be separated into two or more processing units.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, computing device 200 includesoptical storage 202, Central Processing Unit (CPU) 204, memory module206, display interface 214, audio interface 216, input devices 218,Input/Output (I/O) processor 220, bus 222, non-volatile memory 224,various other interfaces 226-228, Network Interface Card (NIC) 320, harddisk 232, power supply 234, transceiver 236, antenna 238, hapticinterface 240, and Global Positioning System (GPS) unit 242. Memorymodule 206 may include software such as Operating System (OS) 208, and avariety of software application programs 210-212. Computing device 200may also include other components not shown in FIG. 2. For example,computing device 200 may further include an illuminator (for example, alight), graphic interface, and portable storage media such as USBdrives. Computing device 200 may also include other processing units,such as a math co-processor, graphics processor/accelerator, and aDigital Signal Processor (DSP).

Optical storage device 202 may include optical drives for using opticalmedia, such as CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Video Disc), and thelike. Optical storage devices 202 may provide inexpensive ways forstoring information for archival and/or distribution purposes.

Central Processing Unit (CPU) 204 may be the main processor for softwareprogram execution in computing device 200. CPU 204 may represent one ormore processing units that obtain software instructions from memorymodule 206 and execute such instructions to carry out computationsand/or transfer data between various sources and destinations of data,such as hard disk 232, I/O processor 220, display interface 214, inputdevices 218, non-volatile memory 224, and the like.

Memory module 206 may include RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read OnlyMemory), and other storage means, mapped to one addressable memoryspace. Memory module 206 illustrates one of many types of computerstorage media for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Memorymodule 206 may store a basic input/output system (BIOS) for controllinglow-level operation of computing device 200. Memory module 206 may alsostore OS 208 for controlling the general operation of computing device200. It will be appreciated that OS 208 may include a general-purposeoperating system such as a version of UNIX, or LINUX™, or a specializedclient communication operating system such as Windows Mobile™, or theSymbian® operating system. OS 208 may, in turn, include or interfacewith a Java virtual machine (JVM) module that enables control ofhardware components and/or operating system operations via Javaapplication programs.

Memory module 206 may further include one or more distinct areas (byaddress space and/or other means), which can be utilized by computingdevice 200 to store, among other things, applications and/or other data.For example, one area of memory module 206 may be set aside and employedto store information that describes various capabilities of computingdevice 200, a device identifier, and the like. Such identificationinformation may then be provided to another device based on any of avariety of events, including being sent as part of a header during acommunication, sent upon request, or the like. One common softwareapplication is a browser program that is generally used to send/receiveinformation to/from a web server. In one embodiment, the browserapplication is enabled to employ Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML),Wireless Markup Language (WML), WMLScript, JavaScript, StandardGeneralized Markup Language (SMGL), HyperText Markup Language (HTML),eXtensible Markup Language (XML), and the like, to display and send amessage. However, any of a variety of other web based languages may alsobe employed. In one embodiment, using the browser application, a usermay view an article or other content on a web page with one or morehighlighted portions as target objects.

Display interface 214 may be coupled with a display unit (not shown),such as liquid crystal display (LCD), gas plasma, light emitting diode(LED), or any other type of display unit that may be used with computingdevice 200. Display units coupled with display interface 214 may alsoinclude a touch sensitive screen arranged to receive input from anobject such as a stylus or a digit from a human hand. Display interface214 may further include interface for other visual status indicators,such Light Emitting Diodes (LED), light arrays, and the like. Displayinterface 214 may include both hardware and software components. Forexample, display interface 214 may include a graphic accelerator forrendering graphic-intensive outputs on the display unit. In oneembodiment, display interface 214 may include software and/or firmwarecomponents that work in conjunction with CPU 204 to render graphicoutput on the display unit.

Audio interface 216 is arranged to produce and receive audio signalssuch as the sound of a human voice. For example, audio interface 216 maybe coupled to a speaker and microphone (not shown) to enablecommunication with a human operator, such as spoken commands, and/orgenerate an audio acknowledgement for some action.

Input devices 218 may include a variety of device types arranged toreceive input from a user, such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, atouchpad, a touch-screen (described with respect to display interface214), a multi-touch screen, a microphone for spoken command input(describe with respect to audio interface 216), and the like.

I/O processor 220 is generally employed to handle transactions andcommunications with peripheral devices such as mass storage, network,input devices, display, and the like, which couple computing device 200with the external world. In small, low power computing devices, such assome mobile devices, functions of the I/O processor 220 may beintegrated with CPU 204 to reduce hardware cost and complexity. In oneembodiment, I/O processor 220 may the primary software interface withall other device and/or hardware interfaces, such as optical storage202, hard disk 232, interfaces 226-228, display interface 214, audiointerface 216, and input devices 218.

An electrical bus 222 internal to computing device 200 may be used tocouple various other hardware components, such as CPU 204, memory module206, I/O processor 220, and the like, to each other for transferringdata, instructions, status, and other similar information.

Non-volatile memory 224 may include memory built into computing device200, or portable storage medium, such as USB drives that may include PCMarrays, flash memory including NOR and NAND flash, pluggable hard drive,and the like. In one embodiment, portable storage medium may behavesimilarly to a disk drive. In another embodiment, portable storagemedium may present an interface different than a disk drive, forexample, a read-only interface used for loading/supplying data and/orsoftware.

Various other interfaces 226-228 may include other electrical and/oroptical interfaces for connecting to various hardware peripheral devicesand networks, such as IEEE 1394 also known as FireWire, Universal SerialBus (USB), Small Computer Serial Interface (SCSI), parallel printerinterface, Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter(USART), Video Graphics Array (VGA), Super VGA (SVGA), HDMI (HighDefinition Multimedia Interface), and the like.

Network Interface Card (NIC) 230 may include circuitry for couplingcomputing device 200 to one or more networks, and is generallyconstructed for use with one or more communication protocols andtechnologies including, but not limited to, Global System for Mobilecommunication (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), time divisionmultiple access (TDMA), user datagram protocol (UDP), transmissioncontrol protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), SMS, general packet radioservice (GPRS), WAP, ultra wide band (UWB), IEEE 802.16 WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), SIP/RTP, Bluetooth,Wi-Fi, Zigbee, UMTS, HSDPA, WCDMA, WEDGE, or any of a variety of otherwired and/or wireless communication protocols.

Hard disk 232 is generally used as a mass storage device for computingdevice 200. In one embodiment, hard disk 232 may be a Ferro-magneticstack of one or more disks forming a disk drive embedded in or coupledto computing device 200. In another embodiment, hard drive 232 may beimplemented as a solid-state device configured to behave as a diskdrive, such as a flash-based hard drive. In yet another embodiment, harddrive 232 may be a remote storage accessible over network interface 230or another interface 226, but acting as a local hard drive. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that other technologies andconfigurations may be used to present a hard drive interface andfunctionality to computing device 200 without departing from the spiritof the present disclosure.

Power supply 234 provides power to computing device 200. A rechargeableor non-rechargeable battery may be used to provide power. The power mayalso be provided by an external power source, such as an AC adapter or apowered docking cradle that supplements and/or recharges a battery.

Transceiver 236 generally represents transmitter/receiver circuits forwired and/or wireless transmission and receipt of electronic data.Transceiver 236 may be a stand-alone module or be integrated with othermodules, such as NIC 230. Transceiver 236 may be coupled with one ormore antennas for wireless transmission of information.

Antenna 238 is generally used for wireless transmission of information,for example, in conjunction with transceiver 236, NIC 230, and/or GPS242. Antenna 238 may represent one or more different antennas that maybe coupled with different devices and tuned to different carrierfrequencies configured to communicate using corresponding protocolsand/or networks. Antenna 238 may be of various types, such asomni-directional, dipole, slot, helical, and the like.

Haptic interface 240 is configured to provide tactile feedback to a userof computing device 200. For example, the haptic interface may beemployed to vibrate computing device 200, or an input device coupled tocomputing device 200, such as a game controller, in a particular waywhen an event occurs, such as hitting an object with a car in a videogame.

Global Positioning System (GPS) unit 242 can determine the physicalcoordinates of computing device 200 on the surface of the Earth, whichtypically outputs a location as latitude and longitude values. GPS unit242 can also employ other geo-positioning mechanisms, including, but notlimited to, triangulation, assisted GPS (AGPS), E-OTD, CI, SAI, ETA, BSSor the like, to further determine the physical location of computingdevice 200 on the surface of the Earth. It is understood that underdifferent conditions, GPS unit 242 can determine a physical locationwithin millimeters for computing device 200. In other cases, thedetermined physical location may be less precise, such as within a meteror significantly greater distances. In one embodiment, however, a mobiledevice represented by computing device 200 may, through othercomponents, provide other information that may be employed to determinea physical location of the device, including for example, a MAC address.

FIG. 3A shows an example surround filming mounting matrix configured tofilm a scene. In various embodiments, a surround video recordingarrangement 300 includes IAD (Image Acquisition Device) mounting matrix302 is used to support and position many IADs 304, on the order of 10's,100's, or more IADs to record a scene 306. In another embodiment themany IADs 304 are stand-alone IADs and are not mounted on a mountingmatrix.

In various embodiments, user-controlled playback of a multi-stream videois enabled by recording arrangement 300, where scene 306 is recordedsimultaneously using multiple IADs to generate a multi-stream video,each IAD recording the same scene from a different direction. In someembodiments, the IADs may be synchronized to start recording the sceneat the same time, while in other embodiments, the recorded scene may bepost synchronized on a frame number and/or time basis. In yet anotherembodiment at least two of the IADs may record the scenes consecutively.Each IAD generates an independent image stream of the same scene, butfrom a different direction compared with other IADs, depending on theIAD's position in mounting matrix 302 or, in general, with respect toother IADs. The image streams obtained independently may be tagged foridentification and integrated into one multi-stream video allowingdynamic user selection of each of the image streams during playback forviewing.

In some recording embodiments, multiple IADs are positioned sufficientlyclose to each other to allow substantially visually smooth transitionbetween IAD image streams at viewing time, real-time or prerecorded,when the viewer/user selects a different viewing angle. For example,during playback, when a user moves a viewing angle of a scene using acontrol device, such as a joystick, from left to right of the scene, theimage stream smoothly changes, showing the scene from the appropriateangle, as if the user himself is walking around the scene and looking atthe scene from different angles. In other recording embodiments, theIADs may not be close to each other and the viewer/user can drasticallychange its viewing direction. In yet other embodiments the same scenemay be recorded more than one time, from different coordinates and/orand angles, in front of the same IAD to appear as if more than one IADhad captured the original scene from different directions. In sucharrangement, to enhance the impact of that particular scene on the user,each act may be somewhat different from the similar acts performed atother angles. Such recordings may be later synchronized and presented tothe viewer/user to create the illusion of watching the same scene frommultiple angles/directions.

During user-controlled playback, each independent image stream may beviewed separately in real-time or be recorded for later viewing based ona user's selection of the independent image stream. In general, duringplayback, the user will not be aware of the fact that the independentimage streams may not have been recorded simultaneously. In variousembodiments, the independent image streams may be electronically mixedtogether to form a single composite signal for transmission and/orstorage, from which a user-selected image stream may be separated byelectronic techniques, such as frequency filtering and other similarsignal processing methods. Such signal processing techniques includeboth digital and analog techniques depending on the type of signal.

In various embodiments, multiple image streams may be combined into amulti-stream video, each stream of which is selectable and separablefrom the multi-stream video at playback time. The multi-stream video maybe packaged as a single video file or as multiple files usable togetheras one subject video. An end user may purchase a DVD including themulti-stream video for viewing with variable angles under the user'scontrol. Alternatively, the user may download, stream, or otherwiseobtain and view the multi-stream video with different viewing angles anddirections under his control. The user may be able to download or streamonly the direction-/angle-recordings he/she wants to view later on.

In various embodiments, after filming is complete, the videos from eachcamera or IAD may be transferred to a computer hard drive or othersimilar storage device. In some embodiments, IADs acquire an analogimage stream, while in other embodiments, IADs acquire a digital imagestream. Analog image streams may be digitized prior to storage ondigital storage devices, such as computer hard disks. In someembodiments, each image stream or video may be labeled or tagged with anumber or similar identifier corresponding to the IAD from which theimage stream was obtained in the mounting matrix. Such identifier maygenerally be mapped to a viewing angle/direction usable by a user duringviewing.

In various embodiments, the image stream identifier is assigned by theIAD itself. In other embodiments, the identifier is assigned by acentral controller of multiple IADs. In still other embodiments, theimage streams may be independently recorded by each IAD, such as acomplete video camera, on a separate medium, such as a tape, and betagged later manually or automatically during integration of all imagestreams into a single multi-stream video.

In various embodiments, mounting matrix 302 may be one, two, or threedimensional such as a curved, spherical, or flat mounting systemproviding a framework for housing a matrix of IADs mounted to theoutside (scene facing side) of the mounting matrix with lenses pointinginward to a center of the curved matrix. A coverage of 360° around ascene may be provided by encasing the scene in a spherical mountingmatrix completely covered with cameras. For large scenes, some or allIADs may be individually placed at desired locations around the scenes,as further described below. In some embodiments, the mounting matrix aresome of the individual IADs are dynamically movable, for example, bybeing assembled on a wheeled platform, to follow a scene during activefilming.

Similarly to camera lenses discussed above, in the case of a spherical,or near spherical mounting matrix used to encase the subject sceneduring filming, lighting may be supplied through a series of small holesin the mounting matrix. Because of their regularity of placement, shapeand luminosity, these lights may also be easily automatically recognizedand removed in post production.

In other various embodiments, mounting matrix 302 is not used. Theseembodiments are further described below with respect to FIG. 3B.

In some embodiments, at least one or all IADs are standalone independentcameras, while in other embodiments, each IAD is an image sensor in anetwork arrangement coupled to a central recording facility. In stillother embodiments, an IAD is a lens for collecting light andtransmitting to one or more image sensors via an optical network, suchas a fiber optic network. In still other embodiments, IADs may be acombination of one or more of the above.

In various embodiments, the image streams generated by the IADs arepre-synchronized prior to the commencement of recording a scene. Suchpre-synchronization may be performed by starting the recording by allthe IADs simultaneously, for example, by a single remote control devicesending a broadcast signal to all IADs. In other embodiments, the IADsmay be coupled to each other to continuously synchronize the start ofrecording and their respective frame rates while operating. Suchcontinuous synchronization between IADs may be performed by usingvarious techniques, such as using a broadcast running clock signal,using a digital message passing bus, and the like, depending on thecomplexity and functionality of the IADs.

In other embodiments, at least some of the image streams generated bythe IADs are post-synchronized, after the recording of the scene. Theobject of synchronization is to match up the corresponding frames inmultiple image streams, which are recorded from the same scene, fromdifferent angles, but at substantially the same time. Postsynchronization may be done using various techniques, such as time-basedtechniques, frame-based techniques, content matching, and the like.

In various embodiments, in time-based techniques, a global timestamp isused on each image stream and the corresponding image frames are matchedtogether based on their respective timestamps. In frame-basedtechniques, a frame count from a starting common frame position on allimage streams is used to match up subsequent image frames in the imagestream. For example, the starting common frame may include an initialone or few frames of a special scene recorded for this purpose, such asa striped pattern. In content-matching techniques, elements of imageframe contents may be used to match up corresponding frames. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that other methods forpost-synchronization may be used without departing from the spirit ofthe present disclosures.

In various embodiments, the surround video recording arrangement may becompletely integrated with current 3D recording and/or viewingtechnology by employing an offset between IADs recording the same scene,which are positioned a predetermined distance apart from each other.Because image streams from different IADs are user selectable duringviewing, an enhanced or exaggerated 3D effect may be effected byselecting image streams from IADs, which were farther away from eachother during recording than cameras used in a normal 3D stereo recordingset slightly apart, usually about the distance between human eyes. Thisdynamic selectability of image streams provides a variable 3D featurewhile viewing a scene. Recently, 3D video and movies have been rapidlybecoming ubiquitous and a “4-D” surround video, where a 3D image mayalso be viewed from different angles dynamically, further enhances thistrend.

While generally it may not be necessary to employ multiple sound tracksin a surround video recording system, and a single master sound trackmay generally suffice, if each IAD or camera on the mounting matrixincluded an attached or built-in microphone, and the soundtracks foreach image stream were switched with the corresponding image stream, asurround-sound effect, which in effect moves the sound along with thecamera view, may be achieved through a single playback speaker, incontrast to traditional surround sound systems, which need multiplespeakers. For example, in a conversation scene, as image streams areselected from corresponding camera positions, which were closer to aparticular actor during filming, the actor's voice would be heard louderthan an image stream corresponding to a camera farther away from theactor.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the surround video systemmay be applied to still images instead of full motion videos. Usingstill cameras in the mounting matrix, a user may “move around” objectsphotographed by the system by changing the photographed viewing angle.

In various embodiments, the surround video system may be used to addressvideo pirating problems. A problem confronted by media producers is thatcontent may be very easily recorded by a viewer/user and disseminatedacross the Internet. Multiple image streams provided by the surroundvideo system may be extremely difficult to pirate and still provide theentire interactive viewing experience. While it would be possible for apirate to record and disseminate a single viewing stream, there is nosimple way to access the entire set of camera angles that make up thesurround video experience.

FIG. 3B shows an example surround filming apparatus with independentlypositioned cameras configured to film a scene. In some embodiments,instead of using one integrated mounting matrix, independentlypositioned IADs 322, such as video cameras, are deployed on independentsupports 324, such as tripods, to record a scene 326. In suchembodiments, which may be employed in filming large areas, such asoutdoor scenes, IADs may be positioned at arbitrary points around thesubject scene for recording a film substantially simultaneously orconsecutively. Synchronization may be performed post image acquisitionon different image streams so obtained. Simultaneous synchronization bywired or wireless methods is also possible in case of separately locatedIADs. The various IAD positions may be specified with respect to eachother, using various techniques, such as using GPS, 3D grid-basedspecification, metes and bounds, and the like. Generally, knowing thephysical location and the direction of the line of sight of an IAD,allows the determination of the angle or direction of viewing of thesubject scene.

FIG. 4 shows an example camera mounting matrix configured to providevarious degrees of 3-D stereoscopic effect on playback. In variousembodiments, recording arrangement 400 includes mounting matrix 402 isused to position and hold multiple recording devices 406 substantiallyfocused on scene area 408. Light beams 412 and 414 correspond todifferent camera pairs configured to provide 3-D and more intense orenhanced 3-D effects, respectively.

One function of mounting matrix 402 is to provide a housing structurefor the cameras or other recording devices, which are mounted in apredetermined or regular pattern, close enough together to facilitatesmooth transitioning between image streams during playback. The shape ofthe mounting matrix modifies the user experience during playback. Theability to transform the shape of the mounting matrix based on the sceneto be filmed, allows different recording angles/directions and thus,different playback experiences.

In various embodiments, mounting matrix 402 is structurally rigid enoughto reliably and stably support multiple recording devices 406, yetflexible enough to curve around the subject scene to provide a surroundeffect with different viewing angles of the same subject scene. Invarious embodiments, mounting matrix 402 may be a substantiallyrectangular plain, which may flex in two different dimensions of itsplane, for example, horizontally and vertically, to surround the subjectscene from side to side (horizontal) or from top to bottom (vertical).In other various embodiments, mounting matrix 402 may be a planeconfigurable to take various planar shapes, such as spherical,semi-spherical, or other 3D planar shapes. The different shapes of themounting matrix enable different recording angles and thus differentplayback perspectives and angles.

In various embodiments, selected pairs of cameras 406 and thecorresponding image data streams may provide various degrees of 3Dvisual effects. For example, a first camera pair corresponding withlight beams 412 provide image data streams, which when viewedsimultaneously during playback create a 3D visual effect with acorresponding perspective depth. A second camera pair corresponding withlight beams 414 provide image data streams, which when viewedsimultaneously during playback create a different 3D visual effect witha different and/or deeper corresponding perspective depth, compared tothe first camera pair, thus, enhancing and heightening the stereoscopiceffect of the camera pair. Other visual effects may be created usingselected camera pairs, which are not on the same horizontal plane butseparated along a path in 2D or 3D space on the mounting matrix.

FIGS. 5A-C depict an example environment showing user controlled viewingof a multi-stream video from different angles. FIG. 5A shows an exampleclient-server environment configured to playback a multi-stream videoshown from a first viewing angle under user control. In variousembodiments, display screen 502 is coupled with client device 506,similar to the client computing devices discussed with respect to FIGS.1 and 2 above, and further coupled with a user control device 510, suchas a joystick. User 508 may view multi stream video content 504 a onscreen 502. Client device 506 may be coupled with server 512 where themulti stream video is partially or wholly stored. Each and everyconnection between modules depicted in FIGS. 5A through 5C may be awired or wireless connection or a combination thereof.

In various embodiments, client device 506 is used to store part or allof multi stream video content 504 a. For example, the video may bestored on a hard disk, an optical medium such as a DVD, and the like, onthe client device. Alternatively, part or all of the multi stream videomay be downloaded from a computer network. The multi stream video mayalso be downloaded from a server via a network in a client-serverarrangement. Once part or all of the multi stream video is stored on theclient device, a multi stream media player may be used to play thevideo. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the multi streammedia player is generally implemented as an application software programconfigured to play multimedia files, such as sound and video files. Invarious embodiments, the multi stream media player may be implemented asa browser plug-in component or a standalone software program. In otherembodiments, the multi stream media player may be built into the clientdevice, while in other embodiments, the multi stream media player may bedownloaded from a server via a network. The server from which thesurround media player is downloaded may or may not be the same serverused to store the multi stream video.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the multi stream video maybe generated in real time by the IADs and transmitted for display liveon the client device with or without storage of the video. Those skilledin the art will also appreciate that the data streams of a multi streamvideo, associated with separate IDAs, may be transmitted from any sourcepoint to any destination point, as mixed or separately transmittedsignals.

In various embodiments, a software multi stream controller module mayrun on the server and configured to communicate with and receive userinputs via the network from the multi stream media player running on theclient device. This arrangement provides more anti piracy security andcontrol at the server over the playback of the multi stream video. Inoperation, as user inputs are received by the multi stream controllerrunning on the server, one or a few of the appropriate image datastreams are selected and transmitted across the network at a time forplayback on the multi stream media player on the client device. Thistechnique substantially prevents pirating, or makes pirating much moredifficult, for example, by copying, all image data streams andcorresponding synchronization information constituting the multi streamvideo.

In some embodiments the number of angles/directions a user can view thescenes of a movie may be restricted according to the user's membershiplevel or the user's contractual agreement with the provider. For examplea user who pays the provider $10 per month for his viewing privilegesmay be restricted to the data collected by a single or two IDAs but auser whose monthly payment is $50 can receive data collected by eight or10 IDAs.

In various embodiments, control device 510 is coupled to the clientdevice 506 via a wired or wireless hardware connection and a softwareinterface, such as a device driver software module. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that a device driver may be implemented in differentways depending on the computing platform architecture. In variousembodiments, the device driver may only obtain raw data or signals fromthe control device and send the data to other software modules forprocessing, while in other embodiments, the device driver may obtain andprocess the data itself. In still other embodiments, the device driverobtains the data and partially processes the data before sending it toother software modules for further processing. In other variousembodiments, user input may be obtained via other input methods ordevices, such as keyboard, touchpad, mouse, and the like, describedabove with respect to FIG. 2.

In various embodiments, overall system performance or throughput may beenhanced using buffering on the client device. Some or all of the imagedata streams constituting the multi stream video may be pre-fetched,cached or pre-buffered from the server to allow ready access todifferent image data streams based on user command without noticeablelag. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many techniques maybe used for accessing and loading different image data streams tominimize lag in response to user input. For example, multiplesimultaneous channels may be used to download different image datastreams from remote servers. Additionally, different bufferingtechniques and algorithms may be used to cache data for fast accessbefore use. Such techniques include variations of lazy algorithms,greedy algorithms, least recently used (LRU) algorithms, and the like.

In various embodiments, the multi stream video may serve as ananti-piracy or security feature. For example, in a web streamingarrangement where image data streams are downloaded via the web andplayed in a browser, each image data stream may be downloaded only atthe time it will be viewed. A major problem confronted by mediaproducers is that content can be easily recorded by a viewer anddisseminated across the internet. It would be extremely difficult topirate the entire interactive viewing experience enabled by multi streamvideo, which includes multiple image data streams, mapping of image datastreams to various viewing angles, and synchronization information thatcoordinates the timing and/or corresponding playback positions of themultiple image data streams. While it may be possible for a pirate torecord and disseminate a single viewing stream, there may be no simpleway to access the entire set of camera angles that make up the multistream video experience.

In operation, in various embodiments, user 508 selects a multi streamvideo to be played on the multi stream media player. The multi streammedia player loads the selected video from any source or storageavailable, as discussed above, or previously configured and set up asdefault source for accessing selected videos. For example, the selectedvideo may be downloaded from server 512. The multi stream media playerstarts displaying the selected video on screen 502. User 508 may changethe viewing angle displayed on screen 502 using control device 510. Invarious embodiments, the user may move the joystick in a particulardirection causing the viewing angle/direction of the video content to bechanged in a corresponding direction as if the user is moving around andviewing a physical object from a different angles. For example, user 508may move the joystick handle to the left and view a car on screen 502rotated counterclockwise with respect to the screen. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that the motion of the joystick may be mapped indifferent ways to the resulting change in motion on the screen. Forexample, a leftward movement of the joystick handle may cause aclockwise rotation of the image, or rotation about other axis ofrotation with respect to the screen. In various embodiments, suchmapping of the control device movements to the resulting rotation of theimage on the screen may be configurable by the user. User 508 may beable to jump from one direction of viewing to the other by pressing asingle button or multiple buttons, each of which is associated with apredetermined angle of viewing, etc.

The virtual rotation of or movement towards or away from the imagecontained in the multi stream video is implemented by selecting adifferent image data stream of the multi stream video in response to auser input into the control device. For example, a first image datastream of the multi stream video may show a car moving parallel to theplane of the screen from right to left, and a second image data streamof the multi stream video may show the same car moving at a particular(non-zero) angle relative to the plane of the display screen. If theuser viewing the first image data stream moves the joystick handle to adifferent position, then a the device driver for the control deviceobtains the resulting signal from the control device and the devicedriver, or another software module within the client device, processesthe signal and loads and displays the second image data stream. Thesecond image data stream is selected based on a predetermined mappingbetween the control device signals (resulting from the user inputs tothe control device, such as moving a joystick handle) and the multipleimage data streams contained in the multi stream video. For example, aleft movement of the joystick handle may generate a particular signal,which is already pre-mapped to the second image data stream, forexample, using a mapping table in the client device's memory.

Similarly to the virtual rotation of video content described above, auser input via the control device, may cause a zoomed-in (or closer) ora zoomed-out (or farther) view of the same scene or video content in anactive image data stream. Additionally, the user may control virtualpanning of the same scene by selecting, via input to the control device,a series of image data streams, each of which show a slightly differentand contiguous section of the same scene, providing the illusion ofpanning across the scene as it is being played. In some embodiments,when a user zooms in or out with respect to a currently playing scene,the selected zoom factor is preserved or locked when the user changesthe viewing angle by loading a different image data stream.

In some embodiments the user may program the viewing device to show thescenes from different available angles based on predetermined criteria,such as periodic change of the scene viewing angle such as every fewminutes, based on scene content, based on embedded tags in the imagedata streams, or based on a timeline of the video. In variousembodiments, the multi stream media player may provide a user interfaceto allow the user to configure automatic viewing angle and/or zoomfactor change based on the aforementioned or other criteria. In otherembodiments, the user may store such scene alteration commands (viewingangle change and zoom factor change) in a user command file to beautomatically applied to the multi stream video while playing on themulti stream media player without user intervention.

In some embodiments, the user may be allowed to record and integrate theuser commands with the multi stream video for future viewing. In theseembodiments, the user may view the multi stream video while alsorecording the sequence and timing, with respect to the timeline of thevideo, of the user commands to change viewing angles and/or zooming inand out. For example, the user may be viewing a car chase scene whilezooming in and out and also changing his angles of viewing the scene.Simultaneously, the multi stream media player may record the sequenceand time of the user's commands and store such information in the usercommand file. Subsequently, the user command file may be used as inputwhile playing the same multi stream video. In effect, applying the usercommand file to the multi stream video is as if the user is controllingthe playback using the control device. This arrangement is useful incapturing a particular user's visual talents in viewing a scene fromparticular angles and with particular zoom factors, like a moviedirector. The effect of the particular user's efforts may then beenjoyed by other users using the user command file. Various cinematiccompetitions may be held based on this arrangement also, for example, onsocial networking websites.

In various embodiments, the transition between a first and second imagedata stream under user control is automatically made smooth by theclient device and/or a software module, such as the multi stream mediaplayer, by loading intermediate image data streams before loading thesecond image data stream. If the second image data stream is toodifferent, as measured by some measure of distance such as viewing angleor panning distance, then intermediate image data streams may bemomentarily loaded and played to provide the illusion of a smoothtransition between the first and the second image data streams. Forexample, if the first image data stream shows the scene at a particularangle, and the second image data stream shows the same scene at an anglewhich is 90 degrees offset compared with the particular angle, thenother image data streams showing the same scene at increments of 5degrees may be loaded and shown successively before loading anddisplaying the second image data stream.

Similarly to the virtual rotation operation, in virtual panningoperations, intermediate image data streams may be used to smooth theseoperations. In other embodiments, the second image data streams isloaded and displayed on user command without showing intermediate imagedata streams. In various embodiment, a mode of operation with respect totype of transition, such as smooth or abrupt, may be configured by theuser. In various embodiments, the degree of smoothness may also beconfigurable. The degree of smoothness indicates how gradually thetransition from one angle to another takes place.

In various embodiments, when a different image data stream is selectedand displayed in response to user input (via the control device), adifferent corresponding sound track of the multi stream video may alsobe loaded and played. For example, if a user moves the joystick handleto rotate or move towards a different actor in a scene, then the voiceof the closer actor is played louder compared to the voice of otheractors in the same scene.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the techniques describedabove with respect to the multi stream video are substantiallyapplicable to still images as well. A multi view image or picture mayinclude multiple images of the same scene or object selectable by userinput. For example, a multi view picture of a car may include sideviews, top view, front view, rear view, and other views from anglesbetween the aforementioned views. The user may then be able to virtuallymove around or zoom in and out relative to the car to enable 360 degreeviewing of the picture.

FIG. 5B shows the example client-server environment of FIG. 5Aconfigured to playback the multi-stream video shown from a secondviewing angle under user control. As described above with respect toFIG. 5A, a movement of the joystick handle by the user selects adifferent image data stream of the multi stream video, thus, resultingin a different perspective or viewing angle of the same video content504 b being displayed on the screen. For example, by moving the joystickhandle, the user has caused content 504 b to be displayed instead ofcontent 504 a, both of the same scene within the video but each one froma different angle.

FIG. 5C shows the example client-server environment of FIG. 5Aconfigured to playback the multi-stream video shown from a third viewingangle under user control. Similarly to FIG. 5B, a third viewing angle isdepicted in this figure corresponding to the selection and display ofcontent 504 c included in a third image data stream of the multi streamvideo based on user input.

FIG. 6 shows an example flow diagram for a surround image playbackroutine. In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 5A, routine600 proceeds to block 610 where a user command is received by the clientdevice to play a selected multi stream video using a multi stream mediaplayer. The user command may be in the form of a series of interactions,via a GUI, with the client device to launch the multi stream mediaplayer and load the selected multi stream video. The routine proceeds toblock 620.

At block 620, a user command is received to indicate which of severalimage data streams to initially play. In various embodiments, aninterface may be presented to the user to select an initial image datastream. In other embodiments, a default initial or primary image datastream may be defined or designated by the user or the producer of themulti stream video, which is played initially when the multi streamvideo is loaded. Other image data streams are then loaded based onsubsequent user inputs. The routine proceeds to block 630.

At block 630, the initial image data stream of the multi stream video,selected as described above, is loaded and played. At this point, themulti stream media player may be able to receive further user commandsto display other angles of the same scene dynamically. The routineproceeds to block 640.

At block 640, the user may input a new command, via the control device,to change the viewing angle. A new viewing angle corresponds to a secondimage data stream, which is loaded for playing. The routine proceeds toblock 650.

At block 650, the second image data stream is played. In variousembodiments, before playing the second image data stream, intermediatedata streams are loaded and played to smooth the transition from thefirst to the second image data stream. The routine proceeds to block660.

At block 660, the routine terminates. As discussed above, between blocks640 and 650, the routine may automatically and momentarily displayscenes from other data streams which smooth and/or enhance thetransition between the first video stream and the second video stream.

It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the flowchart illustration, can be implementedby computer program instructions. These program instructions may beprovided to a processor to produce a machine, such that theinstructions, which execute on the processor, create means forimplementing the actions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. Thecomputer program instructions may be executed by a processor to cause aseries of operational steps to be performed by the processor to producea computer implemented process such that the instructions, which executeon the processor to provide steps for implementing the actions specifiedin the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions mayalso cause at least some of the operational steps shown in the blocks ofthe flowchart to be performed in parallel. Moreover, some of the stepsmay also be performed across more than one processor, such as mightarise in a multi-processor computer system. In addition, one or moreblocks or combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustration may alsobe performed concurrently with other blocks or combinations of blocks,or even in a different sequence than illustrated without departing fromthe scope or spirit of the disclosure.

Accordingly, blocks of the flowchart illustration support combinationsof means for performing the specified actions, combinations of steps forperforming the specified actions and program instruction means forperforming the specified actions. It will also be understood that eachblock of the flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardwarebased systems which perform the specified actions or steps, orcombinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Changes can be made to the claimed invention in light of the aboveDetailed Description. While the above description details certainembodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated,no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the claimed inventioncan be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may varyconsiderably in its implementation details, while still beingencompassed by the claimed invention disclosed herein.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the claimed invention to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above DetailedDescription section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, theactual scope of the claimed invention encompasses not only the disclosedembodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementingthe claimed invention.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the claimed invention. Sincemany embodiments of the claimed invention can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure, the invention resides inthe claims hereinafter appended. It is further understood that thisdisclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intendedto cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope ofthe broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modificationsand equivalent arrangements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of playing a video, the methodcomprising: receiving a first user command to run a first simultaneousor consecutive image data stream, obtained from a first ImageAcquisition Device (IAD), of a particular scene in a multi stream videoon a media player; playing the first image data stream on the mediaplayer; receiving a second user command to select a second image datastream, obtained from a second IAD, of the particular scene in the multistream video; in response to receiving the second user command,automatically, without user input, playing at least one image datastream, obtained from an IAD different from the first and the secondIAD, of the multi stream video different from the first and the secondimage data streams; and playing the second image data stream on themedia player.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving apanning command and playing an image data stream, different from acurrently selected image data stream, showing a different portion of theparticular scene to create an illusion of a panning camera.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein a single panning command causes the playingof multiple consecutive image data streams.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising receiving a zoom command and playing an enlargedportion of a currently playing image data stream.
 5. wherein selecting afirst image data stream comprises additionally selecting a first soundtrack corresponding to the first image data stream.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein receiving a second user command comprises receiving auser command to change a viewing angle of a content of the multi streamvideo.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a second user commandcomprises receiving a user command to change a zoom factor of a contentof the multi stream video.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the zoomfactor applies to all subsequently played image data streams.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising recording user commands andassociating the user commands with the multi-stream video, enablingautomatic execution of the user commands when the multi-stream video isplayed again.
 10. A surround video playback system comprising: a servercomputing device having a multi-stream video stored thereon and amulti-stream controller module configured to respond to commands from aclient computing device; and a computer network coupled with the servercomputing device and client computing device configured to facilitatedata communications between the computing devices; wherein themulti-stream controller module is further configured to cause a firststream of video data to be sent to the client computing device, for anindefinite amount of time, on a first command received from the clientcomputing device, and further configured to cause an intermediate streamof video data to be sent to the client computing device, for a limitedtime, on a second command received from the client computing device, andthen cause a target stream of video data to be sent to the clientcomputing device for an indefinite amount of time.
 11. The system ofclaim 10, further comprising a client computing device coupled with thecomputer network.
 12. The system of claim 10, further comprising amulti-stream video player configured to communicate with themulti-stream controller module.
 13. The system of claim 10, wherein thecommands received from the client computing device are configured to berecorded and associated with the multi-stream video, enabling automaticexecution of the commands with a next playback of the multi-streamvideo.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein each stream of video data isassociated with a distinct Image Acquisition Device (IAD).
 15. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the intermediate stream of video data isassociated with an intermediate Image Acquisition Device (IAD) between afirst IAD associated with the first stream of video and a target IADassociated with the target stream of video data.
 16. The system of claim10, wherein the multi-stream controller module is further configured toreceive zoom and pan commands.
 17. A method of providing a video, themethod comprising: sending a first image data stream, of a multi-streamvideo, associated with a first Image Acquisition Device (IAD) uponreceiving a first user command to send the first image stream; sendingan intermediate data stream associated with an intermediate IAD, forduration of a transition period, upon receiving a second user command tosend a target image data stream associated with a target IAD; andsending the target image data stream after the transition period. 18.The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving a zoom command anda pan command.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising recordinguser commands and associating the user commands with the multi-streamvideo, enabling automatic execution of the user commands when themulti-stream video is played again.
 20. The method of claim 17, whereinselecting a first image data stream comprises additionally selecting afirst sound track corresponding to the first image data stream.